Since the magnificent Fisher Center opened in 2003, there’s always been a big opera production in July and the two-week Bard Music Festival in August. Also thrown in for good measure are visits by dance troupes, the mounting of a play or operetta, plus a series of film revivals. The German-style Speigeltent offers cabaret and refreshments.

But with Bard College president, conductor and deep-thinker-in-chief Leon Botstein at the helm, classical music is always a central focus, and his repertoire choices typically venture into territory that’s overlooked if not forgotten entirely. While the music festival focuses on the music, life and times of one designated composer, Bard’s operas sometimes only have a tangential relationship to the festival.

This year the festival is devoted to “Saint-Saens and His World” and starts Aug. 10, running for two weekends. Although Saint-Saens did write a few operas, it’s a work by his contemporary, Emmanuel Chabrier, that will be onstage beginning Friday and running for six performances through Aug. 5.

“Le Roi Malgre Lui” (“The King In Spite of Himself”) is described in opera reference books as a masterpiece of music but as having one of the most confusing plots in the history of opera — which is saying quite a lot. Still, it’s a comedy and French at that. So if you go, allow a bit of time to read the program, but don’t stress the small stuff. (Never stress the small stuff in opera, for that matter.)

The material will certainly be in good hands, since returning to Bard as stage director is Thaddeus Strassberger. He made his mark three years ago with the inventive and mammoth production of “The Huguenots” and has since become a go-to director around the globe. Opera News in its August issue names him as part of a “next wave” of opera talent.

Looking ahead to the Bard Music Festival, some highlights include the concert on Aug. 11 featuring Saint-Saens’ Symphony in A Major and the Symphony No. 3 “Organ,” with soloist Kent Tritle. Leon Botstein will conduct the American Symphony Orchestra.

A chamber music program on the afternoon of Aug. 19 features sonatas by Saint-Saens, Debussy and Stravinsky. And that same evening there’s a concert performance of “Henry VIII.” So there will be opera by Saint-Saens at Bard after all.

Check out the full offerings at Bard at http://www.fishercenter.bard.edu or call (845) 758-7900.

Bang on a Can is back

Another staple of the summer season is Bang on a Can at Mass MoCA in North Adams, Mass. Since the festivities began on July 11, there’s been all manner of contemporary music happenings, with afternoon pop-up recitals in the galleries and some major concerts on the weekends in the auditorium.

Long established as a kind of trademark in new music, Bang on a Can is a nonprofit organization, a record label and a touring ensemble. But it all started as an annual 12-hour marathon concert in downtown Manhattan 25 years ago. And every summer at MassMoCA it offers a mini-marathon — only six hours long, give or take.

This year it takes place on Saturday, and Steve Reich is the featured composer, with three of his works being performed. Also in store is music of George Crumb and Lou Harrison, plus the Capital Region’s own Pauline Oliveros and the Albany Symphony’s recent composer-in-residence Missy Mazzoli, plus lots more.

But don’t wait until Saturday night if you’d like to check out the art or the music at Mass MoCA. Recitals are free with museum admission and take place most days at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Find out more at: http://www/massmoca.org. Tickets for the marathon are available by calling (413) 662-2111.

Saratoga Choral Fest

Twelve years ago, conductor Andrea Goodman decided that there just wasn’t enough culture happening during the summer in Saratoga Springs, and she founded the Saratoga Choral Festival. Her idea for community singing of great masterpieces with orchestra apparently struck a chord. This year’s festival culminates with a performance on Friday night in the Spa Little Theater of SPAC. The program features the Stabat Mater of English contemporary composer Karl Jenkins, plus Handel’s “Coronation Anthem: Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened.” For tickets call 791-0185.